Quick-release connector

ABSTRACT

A removably attachable traction gear for the underside of footwear having two primary components: a retaining member and a receptacle. These two components respectively replace the common screw and threaded receptacle systems found in for affixing traction gear to the underside of shoes. A partial turn of the traction gear securely locks the gear into the receptacle. The retaining member has a three-extension design so as to make the traction gear resistant to lateral forces applied to the ground-engaging end of the cleat. Locking is achieved through use of cantilevered fingers which press in during installation of the retaining member, and which spring back out to lock with mated indentations in the extensions. During installation a dome containing insole material is compressed. Unlocking is achieved through reverse turning the retaining member to force the springs back in, and removal is aided through re-expansion of the dome. In a preferred form, the invention is utilized to attach athletic cleats to a sport shoe.

DESCRIPTION

The present application is a continuation-in-part of copendingapplication Ser. No. 09/062,037, filed Apr. 17, 1998, which in turn is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/774,585, filed Dec. 23,1996, which issued on Jun. 23, 1998 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,809, which inturn claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60/010,099,filed Jan. 17, 1996, and titled "Quick-Release Spike for Footwear."These applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to removably attachable mechanical connectors andthe mounting of traction gear on the bottom of footwear, in particular,athletic footwear, using such connectors.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventional traction gear presently in use employ an attachment meansconsisting of screwing the traction gear into the mated receivingreceptacle in the bottom of the footwear. Using this screw-typeattachment method is especially laborious when one takes into accountthat a typical golf shoe, for instance, has eleven cleats; as a result,replacing the cleats on a pair of golf shoes entails unscrewingtwenty-two cleats and screwing on twenty-two cleats, where each act ofunscrewing or screwing entails several turns, typically two and one-halftimes, for each cleat.

An example of a typical prior-art cleat is in U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,366(hereinafter the '366 cleat), which patent is incorporated herein byreference. This patent describes a cleat which includes a metal studinfrastructure at the core of the cleat, the infrastructure having avertical axis and two ends, a screw portion at a first end forengagement with a receptacle within a shoe, a ground end for tractiveengagement with the ground, and a broad flange between the screw andhead portions and extending radially outward from the vertical axis; aplastic skirt is molded directly upon the flange portion to form aunitary reinforced radial support member of the cleat. Installation ofthe '366 cleat consists of screwing it into a mated receptacle in thebottom of athletic footwear.

Although some prior-art references show cleat-attachment systems thatrequire less than a full turn, or they require a snap-on arrangement tolock the cleat in place, it appears none of these systems have foundwide acceptance amongst users because of shortcomings in stability,ease-of-use, receptacle size and ease-of-manufacture. For instance, inU.S. Pat. No. 4,633,600 to Dassler, a cleat attachment system isdisclosed in which a snap ring socket is utilized to affix a cleat tothe bottom of a shoe.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,267,593 to Turner, a cleat attachment system isdisclosed wherein the top of the cleat spike has two extensions forminga rough T-shape out of the spike, where the spike is inserted into amated receptacle having two grooves to receive the extensions. Uponcomplete insertion of the spike into a receptacle, the spike is turneduntil the extensions drop into receiving grooves at the top of thereceptacle; a retaining ring is then slid onto the mid-section of thespike, this ring apparently preventing the spike from unseating theextensions from the grooves.

Similarly, in German Patent Application Nos. DE3134817A1 toSportartikelfabrik Karl Uhl GmbH, and DE3423363A1 to GebruiderGoldschmidt Baubeschlage GmbH, another T-spike design is disclosed inwhich internal to the mated receptacle are ramping means for engagingand retaining the spike extensions. In the former, a rough interiorsurface catches the extensions, while in the latter, a sloping interiorengages the extensions.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,492,047 to Arff, discloses another T-shape spike inwhich the skirt is deformed during insertion. Insertion of the spikecauses the extensions to go up a ramp and then down a ramp, pulling thespike into the receptacle, and leaving the extensions in a holding area.The skirt is deformed so as to result in a pressure against the socket,the pressure apparently holding the spike from accidentally travelingback up the ramp towards removal.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,035,934 to Hrivnak, another T-shape spike isdisclosed in which the spike column has two indentations. Duringinstallation, two spring arms, each positioned perpendicular to thesurface of the shoe and parallel to the spike, are pressed in duringinsertion of the spike, and spring back out to press against theindentations upon complete insertion. Removal of this spike is achievedwith a U-shaped tool which slides into the spike receptacle and pushesin the spring arms, thus freeing the spike for removal.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a connector system which includes aconnector receptacle that has an opening and a connector engagingstructure, and a removably attachable connector that has a retainingmember and a plurality of dust covers. The retaining member isinsertable into the receptacle opening and has a bottom portion and atop portion from which at least three extensions project. The extensionsare adapted to cooperate with the connector engaging structure tosecurely attach the connector to the receptacle. The plurality of dustcovers are located in the bottom portion of the retaining member, andeach dust cover is associated with one of the extensions such that whenthe connector is securely attached to the receptacle, the dust coversfit snugly into the receptacle opening.

In a further embodiment, the receptacle may be made substantially ofthermoplastic. The receptacle may also further include a top cover withan attached spring that is compressed when a connector is inserted intothe receptacle and that provides an ejecting force when the connector isremoved from the receptacle. Alternatively, the receptacle may alsofurther include a top cover having a centered projection, and theremovably attachable connector may further include a receptacle centeredin the top portion of the retaining member that receives the projectionin the top cover of the receptacle when the connector is inserted intothe receptacle.

The connector, or just the retaining member, may also be madesubstantially of thermoplastic. The connector may also further includean internal metal support structure. The dust covers may have bevelededges such that less force is required to attach the connector than toremove the connector. In addition, or alternatively, the dust covers maybe tilted at an angle with respect to the receptacle opening such thatless force is required to attach the connector than to remove theconnector. The connector may also further include a circular skirt whichextends radially outward over the dust covers such that when theconnector is attached to the receptacle, the skirt lies against andcovers the receptacle opening. The at least three extensions may lie ina single plane and may be spaced equidistantly apart from each other.

Another preferred embodiment provides a cleat attachment system forfootwear. The system includes a cleat receptacle in a sole of thefootwear that has an opening and a cleat engaging structure, and aremovably attachable cleat. The cleat includes a ground engaging member,a retaining member, and a plurality of dust covers. The retaining memberis insertable into the cleat receptacle opening and has a bottom portionto which the ground engaging member is attached, and a top portion fromwhich at least three extensions project. The extensions are adapted tocooperate with the cleat engaging structure to securely attach the cleatto the footwear. The plurality of dust covers are located in the bottomportion of the retaining member, and each dust cover is associated withone of the extensions such that when the cleat is securely attached tothe footwear, the dust covers fit snugly into the receptacle opening.

In a further embodiment, the cleat receptacle may be made substantiallyof thermoplastic. The cleat receptacle may also further include a topcover with an attached spring that is compressed when a cleat isinserted into the receptacle and that provides an ejecting force whenthe cleat is removed from the receptacle. Alternatively, the cleatreceptacle may further include a top cover having a centered projection,and the removably attachable cleat may further include a receptaclecentered in the top portion of the retaining member that receives theprojection in the top cover of the cleat receptacle when the cleat isinserted into the receptacle.

The cleat, or just the retaining member, may be made substantially ofthermoplastic. The cleat may also further include an internal metalsupport structure. The dust covers may have beveled edges such that lessforce is required to attach the cleat than to remove the cleat. Inaddition, or alternatively, the dust covers may be tilted at an anglewith respect to the receptacle opening such that less force is requiredto attach the cleat than to remove the cleat. The cleat may also furtherinclude a circular skirt which extends radially outward between the dustcovers and the ground engaging member such that when the cleat isattached to the footwear, the skirt lies against and covers the cleatreceptacle. The at least three extensions may lie in a single plane andmay be spaced equidistantly apart from each other.

A preferred embodiment is directed to a removably attachable connectorwhich has a retaining member and a plurality of dust covers. Theretaining member has a bottom portion and a top portion from which atleast three extensions project, and the extensions are adapted tosecurely attach the connector to a connector receptacle. The pluralityof dust covers are located in the bottom portion of the retainingmember, and each dust cover is associated with one of the extensionssuch that when the connector is securely attached to the receptacle, thedust covers prevent debris from moving towards the retaining member.

In a further embodiment, the connector, or just the retaining member,may be made substantially of thermoplastic. In addition, oralternatively, the connector may further include an internal metalsupport structure. The dust covers may have beveled edges such that lessforce is required to attach the connector than to remove the connector.Or, the dust covers may be tilted at an angle with respect to thereceptacle opening such that less force is required to attach theconnector than to remove the connector. The connector may also furtherinclude a circular skirt which extends radially outward between the dustcovers and the ground engaging member such that when the connector isattached to the footwear, the skirt lies against and covers theconnector receptacle. The at least three extensions may lie in a singleplane and may be spaced equidistantly apart from each other.

A preferred embodiment is also directed to a removably attachable cleatfor footwear that has a ground engaging member, a retaining member, anda plurality of dust covers. The retaining member has a bottom portion towhich the ground engaging member is attached, and a top portion fromwhich at least three extensions project. The extensions are adapted tosecurely attach the cleat to the footwear. The plurality of dust coversare located in the bottom portion of the retaining member, and each dustcover is associated with one of the extensions such that when the cleatis securely attached to the footwear, the dust covers prevent debrisfrom moving towards the retaining member.

In a further embodiment, the cleat, or just the retaining member, may bemade substantially of thermoplastic. The cleat may also further includean internal metal support structure. The dust covers may have bevelededges such that less force is required to attach the cleat than toremove the cleat. In addition, or alternatively, the dust covers may betilted at an angle with respect to the receptacle opening such that lessforce is required to attach the cleat than to remove the cleat. Thecleat may also further include a circular skirt which extends radiallyoutward between the dust covers and the ground engaging member such thatwhen the cleat is attached to the footwear, the skirt lies against andcovers the cleat receptacle. The at least three extensions may lie in asingle plane and may be spaced equidistantly apart from each other.

A preferred embodiment also includes a removable connector that has aretaining means for removably attaching the connector to a connectorreceptacle. The retaining means has a vertical axis, a base, and atleast three extensions attached to the base. Each extension projectsradially outward from the base in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the vertical axis. Each extension also has a front sideand a back side, each side substantially parallel to a radial midline ofthe extension, the back side defining an indentation which may be, forexample, L-shaped.

In a further embodiment, the base may have a metal core surrounded by aplastic outer layer. The extensions may be made of thermoplastic, eachextension may be equidistant from the adjacent extensions and within thesame plane, and the radial ends of the extensions may be tapered on thefront side. The connector may also further include a skirt locatedtowards the bottom of the retaining means base and which extendsradially outward beyond the radial ends of the extensions. The skirt mayhave on its lower side receptacles for a connector wrench.

A preferred embodiment also includes a receptacle for receiving andholding a connector that has a top end including at least threeextensions. The receptacle has a wall defining a cavity having a top anda bottom, a restraining means attached to the bottom of the cavity andextending into the cavity so as to prevent downward movement of aninstalled connector, stopping means within the cavity to engage a frontside of an extension and prevent the extension from rotating past thestopping means, and a plurality of protuberances within the cavity toengage a back side of an extension and resist rotation of the extensionpast the protuberance. In such an embodiment, a connector inserted intothe cavity may be rotated so that the front side of an extensioncompresses a protuberance to allow the extension to rotate past theprotuberance until the front side of the extension contacts a stoppingmeans and the protuberance snugly engages the back side of theextension.

In a further embodiment, the protuberances may be in substantially thesame plane as the extensions, and may also be shaped so as to permitturning the connector during installation with significantly lessresistance than required for removal of the connector. Such a receptaclemay further have a lip formed at the bottom of the restraining means,against which an outer edge of the connector may overlap in a keyedfashion. There may also be a top-cover positioned at the top of thereceptacle, the cover having a flat portion and a domed portion, whereinboth the flat and the domed portions are concentrically arranged aroundthe vertical axis, and the domed portion hangs down.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are intended to provide a better understanding ofthe present invention, but they are in no way intended to limit thescope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a cleat according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the cleat of FIG. 1, showing the shape of thelobes to be inserted into a mated receptacle in the bottom of athleticfootwear.

FIG. 3 is another side view of the cleat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the cleat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a receptacle that may receive the FIG. 1cleat.

FIG. 6 is a top section view of the FIG. 5 receptacle wherein the toplayer of the receptacle has been removed.

FIG. 7 is a side vertical section of the receptacle of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the FIG. 6 receptacle wherein the top layer hasnot been removed.

FIG. 9A is a perspective right side view of a cleat according to apreferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9B is a perspective top view of the FIG. 9A cleat.

FIG. 9C is a perspective front view of the FIG. 9A cleat.

FIG. 9D is a perspective left view of the FIG. 9A cleat.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the cleat of FIG. 9A, showing the shape of thelobes to be inserted into a mated receptacle in the bottom of athleticfootwear.

FIG. 11 is another side view of the cleat of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 12A is a top section view of a the receptacle for receiving thecleat of FIG. 9A, wherein the top layer of the receptacle has beenremoved.

FIG. 12B is a perspective bottom view of the FIG. 12A receptacle.

FIG. 13 is a side vertical section of the receptacle of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of a cover for the FIG. 12A receptacle.

FIG. 15 is a side view of FIG. 14 cover.

FIG. 16 is a partial view of a FIG. 9A cleat inserted into a FIG. 12Areceptacle.

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the FIG. 9A cleat.

FIG. 18 is a top view of an unassembled receptacle for receiving theFIG. 9A cleat.

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the FIG. 18 receptacle.

FIG. 20 is a section view of the FIG. 18 receptacle.

FIG. 21 is a side view of a cleat according to a preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 22 is a side view of a cleat according to a preferred embodiment ofthe invention showing an alternative ground-engaging "soft" golf spike.

FIG. 23 is a top view of a cleat similar to FIG. 21 showing the top ofthe cleat connector.

FIG. 24 is a perspective top view of the cleat of FIG. 21 in areceptacle with the top cover removed.

FIG. 25 is a top view of a cleat connector of the type shown in FIG. 23,with the addition of semi-circular dust covers.

FIG. 26 is a perspective top view of the cleat connector of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a perspective bottom view of a preferred embodiment of areceptacle for receiving the cleat connector of FIG. 25.

FIG. 28 is a inverted side view of a cleat using the cleat connector ofFIG. 25.

FIG. 29 is a perspective bottom view of an alternative receptacle havinga center cone in the top cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention comprises a system for allowing the quick attachment andrelease of a wide variety of traction gear. FIG. 1 shows that in oneembodiment of the invention, the attachment system would be used toattach cleats, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,366, tothe underside of athletic footwear. a cleat installed in the bottom of ashoe using the present invention, when viewed from the bottom, has asimilar appearance to the preferred embodiment of the inventiondisclosed herein. Evident in FIG. 1 are the bottom side 17 and top side16 of the plastic skirt 15, the ground-engaging head portion 10 of thecleat, a base 13 to which the plastic skirt and ground-engaging portionare attached and a retaining member 20, which in this case is a base 13with three rounded extensions 22, all of which are positioned around acentral axis 28. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the top 16of the skirt 15 is slightly concave, and the bottom 17 of the skirt 15is somewhat convex.

FIG. 2 shows the topside 16 of the cleat skirt 15 and the retainingmember 20, which has a roughly triangular shape with indentations 26.The extensions 22 of the retaining member 20 are used in conjunctionwith components inside the receptacle, shown as item 30 in FIG. 5, forlocking in place a properly inserted retaining member 20. Locking inplace occurs after inserting the retaining member 20 into a matedreceptacle opening 40 as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, and torquing theretaining member. The extensions 22 are attached to the base 13 (shownin FIG. 1), and together the extensions and the base form the retainingmember 20. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a completedcleat, comprising the retaining member 20 and traction gear, is made outof plastic with a metal core used to reinforce the structure. Althoughthe invention could be made entirely out of metal, it is preferable thatthe cleat be made partially of plastic and partially of metal. When theretaining member is plastic, the retaining member may be integrallyformed with a plastic skirt of a golf cleat with a core, preferablymetal, extending through the retaining member and the traction gear toform the ground-engaging head portion 10 shown in FIG. 1.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, upon insertion of theretaining member 20 into a receptacle, the angled surface 24 (shown inFIG. 1) of the extensions 22 allows for a tighter fit of the retainingmember 20 into the receptacle 40 (shown in FIG. 5). The tight connectionnot only serves to give a stable connection between the shoe andtraction gear, but also serves to keep moisture and debris out of theattachment system.

FIG. 3 is another view showing the structure and proportion of theretaining member 20 as attached to traction gear 21. FIGS. 2 and 3 showthat in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the extensions 22 forma broad retaining member 20, and the base 13 is cylindrical andconcentrically disposed around the center axis 28; the base 13 isattached to the extensions 22 and the traction gear 21.

FIG. 4, a bottom view of the FIG. 1 cleat, shows that, in a preferredembodiment of the invention, cleats do not have to be redesigned beyondmodifying the retaining member 20 (shown in FIG. 1), and thatconventional cleat designs are intended to be used in conjunction withthe new retaining member; once a cleat is installed, the change in theretaining system is not apparent. A standard golf-cleat wrench may beused to engage the traction gear through use of the wrench holes 18.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a receptacle 30 that may receive the FIG. 1cleat, showing the receptacle opening 40, with indentations 44 along itsperimeter for accepting the retaining member extensions 22 (shown inFIG. 1). FIG. 5 also shows the ledges 46 that while serving to form theshape of the opening 40, also serve to hold the extensions 22 within thereceptacle. Although preferred embodiments of the invention include asingle receptacle opening 40, alternate embodiments of the system couldhave a receptacle with separate openings for receiving extensions.

FIG. 6 is a section view of FIG. 5 where the top layer of the receptaclehas been removed to show the inner-cavity structure for receiving theretaining member 20 (shown in FIG. 1). Within the cavity, formed by wallportion 50, there arc several cantilevered fingers 51, or spring arms,that are designed to grip and hold an installed retaining member. When aretaining member is inserted into the indentations 44 and twisted, thetwisting action causes a protruding edge of an extension 22 (shown inFIG. 1) to push into and bend the finger 51 to allow the extension to beturned past the location of the finger. Once the protruding edge of anextension passes the location of the finger, the finger springs back tonearly its original shape, so that surface 53 rests against theperimeter of the extension 22. This allows the cleat to be removed, butonly by exerting sufficient force to bend the finger 51 away from thesurface of the extension 22, an arrangement requiring much greatertorque than that required during installation of the retaining member.In one embodiment, the fingers are elongated in shape, with surface 53forming a curved tip to the finger. FIG. 6 also shows bumps 55 whichserve as a means for preventing a retaining member from being turned toofar. In a preferred embodiment, the cleat should not be turned more thanabout 60°. Coincident with the fingers 51 locking into place, theprotruding edge of an extension is blocked from further movement by thebumps 55, and the entire retaining system is prevented from falling outof the receptacle by ledges 46. FIG. 6 also shows one method ofattaching the receptacle to the underside of footwear by the use ofmounting holes 57.

Spacing within the receptacle may be designed such that duringinstallation of a cleat, the cavity 40 in which the extension is turnedgradually narrows to compress and securely hold the cleat in place.Preferably the spacing is consistent or more gradual than the angledsurface, so that the angled surfaces 24 (shown in FIG. 1) of theextension 22 being pressed against the ledges 46 cause the fit to betight. In addition, having three extensions parallel to the cleat skirtmakes for a more secure base for a cleat.

FIG. 7 is a vertical section of a portion of the embodiment of thereceptacle of FIG. 6. This view shows the ledge 46 formed by the bottomlayer 45 of the receptacle and the wall portion 50 that defines thecavity within the receptacle. This view also shows the slight rise 48which forms a lip at the receptacle opening so that the edge of aninstalled cleat's skirt may overlay the lip. The lip helps hold thecleat in place and makes it more resistant to lateral forces while thecleat is in use.

FIG. 8, which is the FIG. 6 receptacle where the top layer has not beenremoved, is a view from the top of the receptacle 30 in accordance witha preferred embodiment of the invention. This view shows the top side 67of the mounting holes for attaching the receptacle.

FIGS. 9A-9D, 10 and 11 show a preferred embodiment of a cleat having thesame basic characteristics and structural concerns of the FIGS. 1, 2,and 3 embodiments discussed hereinabove. Evident in FIG. 9A are thebottom side 17b and top side 16b of the plastic skirt 15b, theground-engaging head portion 10b of the cleat, a base 13b to which theplastic skirt and ground-engaging portion are attached and a retainingmember 20b, which in this case is a base 13b with three roundedextensions 22b, the extensions having an angled surface 24b and beingpositioned around a central axis 28b. FIGS. 9B-9D are respectively theperspective top, front, and left view of the FIG. 9A cleat.

Evident in FIG. 10 are the corresponding topside 16b of the cleat skirt15b and the retaining member 20b, with indentations 26b. The extensions22b of the retaining member 20b are used in conjunction with componentsinside the receptacle 84 of FIG. 12A, for locking in place a properlyinserted retaining member 20b. Locking in place occurs after insertingthe retaining member 20b into a mated receptacle opening 40b shown inFIG. 12A, and torquing the retaining member. As with the FIG. 1embodiment, upon inserting the retaining member 20b into a receptacle84, the angled surface 24b (shown in FIG. 9A) of the extensions 22bforces a gradual compression of the retaining member 20b as it isinserted into the receptacle cavity 40b, resulting in a tight connectiongiving stability while also serving to keep moisture and debris out ofthe attachment system.

Also evident in the FIG. 10 embodiment is a modification to the FIG. 2embodiment, where the extensions 22 of FIG. 2 are modified to include anindentation 70 that further enhances the invention's resistivity tounlocking and its unintentional removal through normal use. Increasedresistivity is effected by an interlocking of a cantilevered finger 74(shown in FIG. 16) with the indentation 70. The cantilevered finger 74corresponds to the cantilevered finger 51 of the FIG. 6 embodiment, inwhich the cantilevered finger 51 has been thickened to afford a greaterresistivity to unintentional unlocking. Further, upon complete insertionof the retaining member 20b into an appropriate receptacle 84 (shown inFIG. 12A), the end portion 90 of the cantilevered finger 74 rests withinthe indentation 70. Consequently, removal of the cleat requires greatertorque than that required to install the cleat.

FIG. 11 is another view showing the structure and proportion of theretaining member 20b as attached to traction gear 21b, indicating thelocation of indentation 70, as well as showing that the placement of theretaining member 20b and base 13b is concentrically disposed around thecenter axis 28b.

FIG. 12A is a section view of a preferred embodiment of a receptacle forreceiving the cleat of FIGS. 9A-9D, 10 and 11, where the top layer ofthe receptacle 84 has been removed to show the inner-cavity structurefor receiving the retaining member 20b (shown in FIG. 9A). FIG. 12Bshows a perspective view of the FIG. 12A receptacle. As with the FIG. 6embodiment, included within the cavity, formed by wall portion 78, areseveral cantilevered fingers 74 designed to grip and hold an installedretaining member 20b. When a retaining member is inserted and twisted,the twisting action causes a protruding edge of an extension 22b to pushinto and bend the finger 74 to allow the extension to be turned past thelocation of the finger. Once the protruding edge of an extension passesthe location of the finger 74, the finger springs back to nearly itsoriginal shape, so that end portion 90 contacts the perimeter of theextension 22b. As described hereinabove, when the end portion 90contacts extension 22b, there is an interlocking of cantilevered finger74 with the indentation 70 (shown in FIG. 10). This allows the cleat tobe removed, but only by exerting sufficient force to disengage and bendfinger 74 away from indentation 70 and the surface of the extension 22b,an arrangement requiring much greater torque than that required duringinstallation of the retaining member. As with the FIG. 6 embodiment, thefingers are preferably elongated in shape, end portion 90 forms a curvedtip to the finger, and bumps 55b serve as a means for preventing aretaining member from being turned too far during insertion.

Also evident in the FIG. 12A receptacle is another preferred embodimentfor attaching the receptacle 84 to the underside of footwear by the useof a mounting slot 80. In this embodiment, the perimeter 100 of thereceptacle 84 comprises three flanges disposed around the receptacleopening 40b. In preferred embodiments, within each flange 82 of theperimeter are two slots 80 for mounting the receptacle 84 to footwear.Mounting of the receptacle is by methods known in the prior art, and mayinclude forming sole material around the slots, or inserting a pin orother object through the slot to effectively nail the receptacle to aninner-sole of a shoe, and then forming the outer-sole material aroundthe receptacle so affixed. The slots 80 are separated by apre-determined distance and are preferably curved to conform to thecurvature of the flange 82 in which the slot 80 is set. Also shown arethree openings 88 to allow for attaching a receptacle cover 96 (shown inFIG. 14) to the receptacle 84.

FIG. 13 is a vertical section of a portion of the embodiment of thereceptacle of FIG. 12A. The FIG. 13 embodiment has a ridge 76 has beenadded in the bottom layer 86 of the wall portion 78 of the receptacle.In this preferred embodiment, the ridge 76 is located upon the downwardside of the receptacle and helps assure mold seal-off. Sealing off themold helps prevent sole material from the outsole molding process fromaccidentally spilling in over the bottom-end of the receptacle duringproduction. (The receptacle and outsole are preferably moldedground-side up.) In addition, by adding ridge 76 to the basic design ofFIG. 6, the structure of the FIG. 6 receptacle is strengthened, makingit less susceptible to torques, distortions, or other forces. Thisresults in better retention of the receptacle within the sole ofathletic footwear.

FIG. 14 shows a receptacle cover 96 having three holes 92 correspondingto the three openings 88 shown in FIG. 12. In preferred embodiments, thereceptacle cover is designed to attach to and seal the top end of thereceptacle 84 of FIG. 12A, so that during molding of a shoe sole aroundthe receptacle, the sole material does not seep under the top edge ofthe receptacle and fill its cavity. In addition, at the center of thecover 96 is a dome 94. This dome hangs downward from the top of thereceptacle, into the receptacle cavity for receiving a retaining member20b (shown in FIG. 9A).

FIG. 15 shows a side view of the FIG. 14 cover, indicating the extent ofthe dome 94 with respect to the rest of the cover's 96 proportions. Thedome forms a cavity 98 between a sole of a shoe and the top of thereceptacle 84 (shown in FIG. 12A). In preferred embodiments, duringmanufacture of a shoe sole, in addition to sole material being moldedaround the receptacles, sole material is also allowed to fill in thecavity 98. Consequently, as a retaining member 20b (shown in FIG. 9A) isinserted into a proper receptacle, the insertion forces a compression ofthe dome which in turn compresses the sole material filling the dome.The dome 94 serves two purposes. First, when the retaining member 20b oftraction gear is fully installed within a receptacle 84 (shown in FIG.12A), the compression of the dome results in a downward pressure uponthe extensions 22b from the dome trying to re-expand into its originalshape. Second, when one tries to remove the traction gear from thereceptacle 84, the re-expansion of the sole material helps push theretaining member away from the sole, thus aiding in the removal ofattached gear.

In preferred embodiments, the extensions for the attachment system aremolded using conventional molding processes. Preferably, the moldingprocess uses mold components having expandable cavities, these cavitiesallowing for undercuts to be molded without the use of side actions orslides. The receptacle may be molded using conventional moldingprocesses, where the receptacles are preferably produced on a horizontalor vertical press and, with the aid of precision mold design andbuilding, are formed in a manner well-known in the art.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, during manufacture, thereceptacle portion with the top cover attached is placed in an outsolemold, and the ground surface part of a shoe is then molded. The moldingprocess is preferably one of injection or compression molding. Theparticular location of each receptacle within the mold depends on theintended use of the shoe and the design of the shoe's shape. Duringmanufacture of the outsole of one embodiment of the invention, moldsupport-braces may be used to help ensure no deformation of thereceptacles during the molding of the sole. Preferably, thesupport-braces are negatives of the receptacle's shape such that when abrace is inserted into a receptacle, the receptacle 84 and pin holes 88(shown in FIG. 12A) are temporarily sealed off to prevent sole materialfrom filling in the receptacle cavity 40b and pin holes 88. These pinsmay also be used to help orient and position the receptacle so that solematerial flows up to and not beyond the ridge 76 (shown in FIG. 13) thatis visible on the ground side of the receptacle. Once the outsole ismolded, a second material may be molded or cemented to the outsole, andalso cemented to the upper portion of the shoe. In this embodiment, theoutsole and second material combination form a completed sole having theembedded receptacles.

In some embodiments, the shoe sole may be formed of light-weightmaterials such as EVA or foam. In such embodiments, the sole materialmay be insufficiently strong to hold a receptacle firmly in place.Consequently, in preferred embodiments, a support plate may be added tothe sole structure, wherein the receptacles are attached to the plate atthe desired locations, and the sole is formed around the attachedreceptacles. Such plates may also be used for heel support for footwearhaving light-weight heels; similarly, for heel-plates, support-pins mayalso be used to help prevent heel receptacle deformation.

FIG. 16 is a partial view of a FIG. 9A cleat inserted into a FIG. 12Areceptacle. Shown is a magnified view of the tip 90 of a cantileveredfinger 74 at rest in indentation 70 of retaining member 20b. Asdescribed hereinabove, after installation of a cleat into a receptacle,the torque required to dislodge the cantilevered finger 74 from theindentation 70 is much greater than that required during installation.

FIG. 17, a bottom view of the FIG. 9A cleat, shows that in thisembodiment of the invention, a three-pronged wrench is inserted into thethree wrench holes 110 used to remove the cleat. Use of athree-wrench-hole design gives greater stability during insertion andremoval of a cleat, and allows greater torque to be applied, withoutslipping out of the holes, during such insertion and removal.

FIG. 18 is a top view of an alternate embodiment where a modified FIG.14 cover is attached to the FIG. 12A receptacle through a flexibleattachment region 120. In this embodiment, the receptacle 84 and cover96 may be integrally formed of a single portion of production material,and simultaneously formed from a single mold. Before insertion of thisembodiment of the receptacle into a shoe sole, the cover is flippedclosed to cover the top of the receptacle. The FIG. 14 cover is modifiedto include two cover flanges 122 which, when the cover is closed, restin-between two of the receptacle flanges 82. The cover flanges 122 alsohave slots 124, which in addition to the receptacle slots 80 describedhereinabove, are used for mounting the FIG. 18 combined receptacle andcover to the underside of footwear.

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the FIG. 18 embodiment, showing the ridge 76(see FIG. 13 hereinabove) which helps prevent sole material from theoutsole molding process from accidentally spilling in over thebottom-end of the receptacle opening 40b with attached FIG. 14 coverhaving the features as disclosed hereinabove for FIG. 12A and FIG. 14.

FIG. 20 is a top section view of FIG. 18, showing the relationshipbetween the extent of the dome 94 and the receptacle 84. Also shown isthe region defined by portions 126, 128 for receiving the cover flange122 when the cover is closed over the receptacle 84.

FIG. 21 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of a cleat havingsome of the same basic characteristics of the FIGS. 1, 2, and 3embodiments discussed hereinabove. Evident in FIG. 21 are a bottom 201of a plastic skirt 203, and a top 205 with receptacles 207 for a cleatwrench. The cleat also has a ground-engaging spike 209 and a base 211 towhich the skirt 203 and the spike 209 are attached. FIG. 22 is a sideview of another cleat with a cleat connector similar to FIG. 21 showingan alternative ground-engaging "soft" golf spike 225. FIG. 23 is a topview of the cleat connector of the cleats in FIGS. 21 and 22 showingretaining member 213, which in this case is the base 211 with threethermoplastic extensions 215 projecting radially outward in a directionperpendicular to a vertical axis 210 of the base 211 in FIG. 21. Eachextension 215 has a front side 217 approximately parallel to a radialmidline 218 of the extension 215 and which extends from a radial end 220of the extension 215 back towards the vertical axis 210 of the base 211.Each extension 215 also has a back side 219, roughly parallel to andsubstantially shorter than the front side 217; the back side 219 is alsocloser to the midline 218 of the extension 215 than the front side 217.The back side 219 extends back from the radial end of the extension 220,partway to the base 210 until it joins another surface 221 which issubstantially perpendicular to the radial midline of the extension 218,so as to form an L-shaped indentation 222. In a preferred embodiment,the extensions 215 all lie in the same plane, and each extension 215 isequidistant from the adjacent extension.

FIG. 24 is a perspective top view of a preferred embodiment of areceptacle 251 for receiving the cleats of FIGS. 21, 22, and 23 with thetop cover removed to show the inner-cavity structure for receiving theretaining member, 213 in FIG. 23. Within a cavity 253, formed by wallportion 255, are several protuberances 257 designed to grip and hold aninstalled retaining member 213. When a retaining member 213 is insertedand twisted, the twisting action rotates the front side 217 of anextension 215 past a protuberance 257 so that the radial end 220 of theextension 215 compresses the protuberance 257, allowing the extension215 to turn past the protuberance 257. The extension 215 can continue torotate until the front side 217 of the extension 215 engages a stoppingwall portion 259 of the cavity 253. The receptacle 250 is designed sowhen the front side 217 of an extension 215 engages a stopping wallportion 259 of the cavity 253, the protuberance 257 springs back tonearly its original shape and snugly engages the L-shaped indentation222 on the back side 219 of the extension 215. Each extension 215 of aninstalled cleat, therefore, is firmly held in place between a stoppingwall 259 and a protuberance 257 so that the retaining member 213 issecurely attached to the receptacle 250.

Removal of the cleat requires rotation in the opposite direction frominstallation. In a preferred embodiment, the protuberances 257 and theradial ends 220 of the extensions 215 are shaped so that rotation of thecleat in the removing direction requires much greater torque than thatrequired during installation. For example, the radial ends 220 of theextension 215 may be tapered on the front side, 223 in FIG. 23, so thatthe radial end more easily rides over and compresses the protuberanceduring installation. Without a taper on the back side 224 of the radialend of the extension 215, substantially greater force is required forthe radial end 220 to ride over and compress the protuberance 257 whenrotation is in the removing direction. Alternatively, the protuberances257, rather than the extensions 215, may be tapered to allow easierrotation in the installation direction and require greater force forrotation in the removing direction.

FIG. 25 is a top view of a cleat connector 260 of the type shown in FIG.23, with the addition of semi-circular dust covers 261 between eachextension 215. Of course, the cleat connector 260 may be placed on topof a wide variety of surface engaging structures including both surfacepenetrating structures and non-surface penetrating structures. FIG. 26is a perspective top view of the cleat connector 260 of FIG. 25, andFIG. 27 is a perspective top view of a preferred embodiment of areceptacle 262 for receiving the cleat connector 260 of FIG. 25. Toinstall the cleat, the connector extensions 215 are inserted into thereceptacle's semicircular openings 263. The cleat is rotated into placeto engage the structure of the connector 260 with the internal structureof the receptacle 262 as described above with respect to FIGS. 23 and24. This also rotates the dust covers 261 towards the receptacleopenings 263. As the connector 260 locks into place in the receptacle262, the dust covers 261 settle snugly into the receptacle openings 263to seal the openings 263 so as to prevent the entry of debris from theground into the receptacle 262.

As shown in FIG. 28, the dust covers 261 may have an incline so that asthe connector 260 rotates into place in the receptacle 262, the leadingedge 264 of the dust cover 261 is lower, or closer to the base of theconnector 260 than is the trailing edge 265 of the dust cover 261. As aresult, as the cleat is rotated, the dust cover 261 initially rotateseasily over the opening 263 of the receptacle 262. Before the structureof the connector 260 locks into engagement with the internal structureof the receptacle 262, the higher trailing edge 265 of the dust cover261 becomes compressed by the edge of the opening 263 of the receptacle262 increasing the amount of force required to rotate the cleat. Just asthe structure of the connector 260 locks into engagement with theinternal structure of the receptacle 262, the trailing edge 265 of thedust cover 261 clears the edge of the opening 263 of the receptacle 262.This releases the compression of the trailing edge 265 of the dust cover261 which springs down into the opening 263 of the receptacle 262. Thus,the vertical face of the trailing edge 265 of the dust cover 261 fitsagainst the edge of the opening 263 of the receptacle 262 so as to forma secondary lock in addition to the primary lock of the structure of theconnector 260 in engagement with the internal structure of thereceptacle 262. In addition to sealing against the entry of debris intothe receptacle 262, the secondary lock formed by the dust covers 261 inengagement with the opening 263 of the receptacle 262, providesadditional resistance against the undesired unlocking rotation of theinstalled cleat in high torque environments such as with baseballcleats.

FIG. 27 also shows a receptacle 262 with a receptacle cover 266 having acover spring 267 which extends into a receptacle cavity defined by thereceptacle openings 263. The receptacle spring 267 performs twofunctions similar to that of the dome 94 in FIGS. 14 and 15. First, whena cleat connector 260 is installed so as to engage the structure of thereceptacle 262, the receptacle spring 267 is compressed and therebyexerts a downward pressure on the cleat connector 260 which increasesthe contacting force between the connector 260 and the receptacle 262.Second, when the cleat is rotated for removal from the receptacle 262(e.g., for replacement), the receptacle spring supplies an ejectingforce on the cleat connector 260 which aids in disengaging the cleatconnector 260 from the receptacle 262.

These functions do not necessarily require the use of a dome 94 as inFIGS. 14 and 15, or a spring 267 as in FIG. 27. FIG. 29 shows areceptacle cover 268 having a center cone 269. The cone 269 performs thesame functions as the previously discussed dome 94 and spring 267. Inaddition, the size and strength of the cone 269 may be relativelysubstantial when the cleat connector 260 contains a similarly shapedmating depression 270, shown in FIGS. 25 and 26.

It should be realized that while the various preferred embodiments ofcleat receptacles differ in the complexity of their specific structures,this does not significantly restrict the materials which may be used tofabricate such receptacles. All or part of a receptacle may befabricated from metal. Alternatively, all or part of receptacle may befabricated from a synthetic material such as plastic or nylon. Metaloffers great strength, but with relatively great weight. Syntheticmaterials may be relatively lighter, while somewhat less strong thanmetal. Either metal or synthetic materials may, however, be employedsatisfactorily.

In the preceding description and following claims, the term "cleat" isconsistently used, however, no distinction is intended to be createdbetween cleats and spikes, nor should any be inferred. In addition,while preferred embodiments have been described in which a cleat may beremovably attached to a shoe using the described connectors andreceptacles, the use of such connectors and receptacles is not limitedto attaching cleats to shoes, but may be generally employed as aremovably attachable connector system in other applications whichrequire the attachment of one mechanical structure to another.Similarly, it is of course apparent that the present invention is notlimited to the detailed description set forth above. Various changes andmodifications of this invention as described will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of thisinvention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connector system comprising:a connectorreceptacle having an opening and a connector engaging structure; and aremovably attachable connector havinga retaining member that isinsertable into the receptacle opening, the retaining member having abottom portion and a top portion from which at least three extensionsproject, the extensions being adapted to cooperate with the connectorengaging structure to securely attach the connector to the receptacle,and a plurality of dust covers located in the bottom portion of theretaining member, each dust cover being located between two adjacentextensions such that when the connector is securely attached to thereceptacle, the dust covers fit snugly within the receptacle opening. 2.A system according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle is madesubstantially of thermoplastic.
 3. A system according to claim 1,wherein the receptacle further includes a top cover with an attachedspring that is compressed when a connector is inserted into thereceptacle and that provides an ejecting force when the connector isremoved from the receptacle.
 4. A system according to claim 1, whereinthe connector receptacle further includes a top cover having a centeredprojection, and wherein the removably attachable connector furtherincludes a receptacle centered in the top portion of the retainingmember that receives the projection in the top cover of the connectorreceptacle when the connector is inserted into the connector receptacle.5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the connector is madesubstantially of thermoplastic.
 6. A system according to claim 1,wherein the retaining member is made substantially of thermoplastic. 7.A system according to claim 1, wherein the connector further includes aninternal metal support structure.
 8. A system according to claim 1,wherein the dust covers have beveled edges such that less force isrequired to attach the connector than to remove the connector.
 9. Asystem according to claim 1, wherein the dust covers are tilted at anangle with respect to the receptacle opening such that less force isrequired to attach the connector than to remove the connector.
 10. Asystem according to claim 1, wherein the connector further includes acircular skirt which extends radially outward over the dust covers suchthat when the connector is attached to the receptacle, the skirt liesagainst and covers the receptacle opening.
 11. A system according toclaim 1, wherein the at least three extensions lie in a single plane andare spaced equidistantly apart from each other.
 12. A cleat attachmentsystem for footwear, comprising:a cleat receptacle in a sole of thefootwear, the receptacle having an opening and a cleat engagingstructure; and a removably attachable cleat havinga ground engagingmember, a retaining member that is insertable into the cleat receptacleopening, the retaining member having a bottom portion to which theground engaging member is attached, and a top portion from which atleast three extensions project, the extensions being adapted tocooperate with the cleat engaging structure to securely attach the cleatto the footwear, and a plurality of dust covers located in the bottomportion of the retaining member, each dust cover being located betweentwo adjacent extensions such that when the cleat is securely attached tothe footwear, the dust covers fit snugly within the receptacle opening.13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the cleat receptacle is madesubstantially of thermoplastic.
 14. A system according to claim 12,wherein the cleat receptacle further includes a top cover with anattached spring that is compressed when a cleat is inserted into thereceptacle and that provides an ejecting force when the cleat is removedfrom the receptacle.
 15. A system according to claim 12, wherein thecleat receptacle further includes a top cover having a centeredprojection, and wherein the removably attachable cleat further includesa receptacle centered in the top portion of the retaining member thatreceives the projection in the top cover of the cleat receptacle whenthe cleat is inserted into the cleat receptacle.
 16. A system accordingto claim 12, wherein the cleat is made substantially of thermoplastic.17. A system according to claim 12, wherein the retaining member is madesubstantially of thermoplastic.
 18. A system according to claim 12,wherein the cleat further includes an internal metal support structure.19. A system according to claim 12, wherein the dust covers have bevelededges such that less force is required to attach the cleat than toremove the cleat.
 20. A system according to claim 12, wherein the dustcovers are tilted at an angle with respect to the receptacle openingsuch that less force is required to attach the cleat than to remove thecleat.
 21. A system according to claim 12, wherein the cleat furtherincludes a circular skirt which extends radially outward between thedust covers and the ground engaging member such that when the cleat isattached to the footwear, the skirt lies against and covers the cleatreceptacle.
 22. A system according to claim 12, wherein the at leastthree extensions lie in a single plane and are spaced equidistantlyapart from each other.
 23. A removably attachable connector comprising:aretaining member having a bottom portion and a top portion from which atleast three extensions project, the extensions being adapted to securelyattach the connector to a connector receptacle, and a plurality of dustcovers located in the bottom portion of the retaining member, each dustcover being located between two adjacent extensions such that when theconnector is securely attached to the receptacle, the dust covers fitsnugly within a receptacle opening so as to prevent debris from movingtowards the retaining member.
 24. A connector according to claim 23,wherein the connector is made substantially of thermoplastic.
 25. Aconnector according to claim 23, wherein the retaining member is madesubstantially of thermoplastic.
 26. A connector according to claim 23,further including an internal metal support structure.
 27. A connectoraccording to claim 23, wherein the dust covers have beveled edges suchthat less force is required to attach the connector than to remove theconnector.
 28. A connector according to claim 23, wherein the dustcovers are tilted at an angle with respect to the receptacle openingsuch that less force is required to attach the connector than to removethe connector.
 29. A connector as in claim 23, wherein the connectorfurther includes a circular skirt which extends radially outward betweenthe dust covers and the ground engaging member such that when theconnector is attached to the footwear, the skirt lies against and coversthe connector receptacle.
 30. A connector as in claim 23, wherein the atleast three extensions lie in a single plane and are spacedequidistantly apart from each other.